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You are to write two (2) essays selected from the four (4) essays below.. The essays should be about one to one and one-half (1-1&1/2) pages in length (about 300-500 words), typed double-spaced in MS Word. [SUBMISSION SHOULD BE BY E-MAIL ATTACHMENT AND NOT BY INCORPORATING YOUR ANSWER INTO AN E-MAIL MESSAGE: <Lawrence.Ulrich@notes.udayton.edu>] You are to (1) recount what the authors you have read on the topic have said, (2) try to relate ideas with each other, and (3) state your own reactions/reflections about the issues under exploration. Please be clear about where your opinion begins. You should not merely state an opinion but give carefully considered reasons for your opinions. Remember that this is a philosophy course and the reasons which you develop and organize to support your opinions will be more important than the opinions themselves. Ultimately you should demonstrate that you (1) have read the text(s), (2) are familiar with the ideas, (3) have thought about them carefully, and (4) have been able to formulate soundly based opinions as a result of the reading you have done.

Directions and Specifications for the Threaded Discussion Attached to This Examination --- CLICK HERE.

1. How does Aristotle define "virtue?" Explain the parts of the definition. Identify three virtues that are important for managers to cultivate and explain the significance of those virtues in management practices. How does the NASDAQ Credo (click on the link in Week 4 for this Credo) relate to Aristotle's theory of virtue?

2. Explain the basic tenets of Utilitarianism. Apply the theory of Utilitarianism to the Tyco case found on page 333 (Case 4) of your textbook. Do you think Utilitarianism is a good ethical system to evaluate the ethical issues raised in the Enron case. Explain.

3. The contention could be made that the generation of wealth in the Western world was made possible only as a result of the development of market economics. While this contention may be true as a matter of fact, the question still remains as to whether the development of the market was an unconditional good. So what do you think? Can you identify three (3) harms that human beings have suffered as a result of the market and explain whether there are three (3) advantages that the market has produced for human beings that made it worth our while to suffer the harms you have identified? [Notice that you are giving a Utilitarian answer to this question.]

4. As you begin this course identify three (3) issues in business practices that you think need close ethical scrutiny. Explain why you think they need this careful examination. Give some tentative ideas about what you think should be done about the practices you have identified in this ethical assessment.

Threaded Discussion Topic:

Many have suggested, especially in light of the revelations of the last 2-3 years that "business ethics" is an oxymoron. Is it possible to talk about being ethical and doing business in the same breath? What might you suggest for making business practices more "ethical?" Examples would be helpful in developing your reflections on this problem.

Be sure to check the course webpage for instructions and expectations for Threaded Discussions Attached to Exams.

This discussion will be posted for participation on May 28 and will conclude at midnight on June 3. Groups will be assigned at the time of posting.